The Yankees are engaging the Pirates and one other team about Burnett and a deal seems increasingly likely, David Waldstein of the New York Times reports. It doesn't appear that Burnett would block a trade to either one of the two possible destinations.

The Yankees tried to convince the Angels that Burnett could be their fifth starter, according to Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com. The Yankees would have obtained Bobby Abreu in the proposed trade, but Burnett rejected the deal because he'd prefer to play on the East Coast.

The two clubs remain at an impasse, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. As the day before Yankees pitchers and catchers report to spring training, Saturday represents a soft deadline for the trade talks. A trade is not likely with any of the three other teams interested in Burnett, as the Indians never got serious, Burnett will not approve a deal to the Angels, and the mystery team has lukewarm interest.

He has an NTC for all the western teams, so, unlike many NTC clauses that include strategically selected teams this is quite obviously about regional comfort. There are a lot of stories circulating out there that his wife is less than thrilled with the idea of air travel. If that is indeed the case, then it’s not a big surprise if he sticks to his NTC, as that means the NTC is acting as a “quality of life” clause in his contract.

I think the Pirates are thinking why spend $10mm+ on Burnett and lose 2 prospects, when they can wait longer, keep their prospects, and only pay Burnett the league minimum when the Yankees release him.

The Yankees are in it to win it every year, and will pay anything to win a championship. They have 7 starters for 5 spots and 7 relievers for 6 spots. so 14 pitchers for 11 spots… there’s no room for Burnett anymore, they cant hold onto him like the Mets did with Perez, they will have to cut him if they cant trade him.

Yanks are not releasing AJ. They do have option. Hughes can go back the the bullpen for part of the season and they can trade AJ on the trading dead line to a team in contention and desperate for a SP.

No they wouldn’t. I’m sure Meek could handle the 9th. If not, sign someone like Mike Gonzalez, who closed for the Pirates before. Almost anything that brings Trumbo to Pittsburgh would work for me. Not going to happen though.

I wouldn’t really want Trumbo at all, as he’s not really much of an upgrade over Jones anyway. I certainly wouldn’t give away Hanrahan for Trumbo straight up. They could get much more than that for Hanrahan.

I’m surprised the Orioles aren’t getting involved. They can use a good innings eater, and his wife would love for him to play in Baltimore. Its probably the #1 place he’d want to go to finish his career.

It might be because that the O’s have seen Burnett within their division and recognize that his best years may be behind him. Wasn’t Burnett the only Yankee pitcher to have a losing record against the Orioles this year? The price being asked by the Yankees from the Pirates is, in no doubt, an attempt to recover some dignity after the fleecing they took in the Nady/Marte trade a few years ago.

I hope the unnamed team really gets interested. I think this is a terrible deal for us here in Pittsburgh if Burnnett is not actively excited about pitching in PGh. If he is looking to “mail it in ” for two years , there are more arms that would be a better fit.

I’m not an AJ Burnett fan at all, but for $10 million its not a terrible deal. The NL Central is extremely weak (you have Votto, 2/3 of a season of Ryan Braun, and the rare days Matt Holliday isn’t hurt; thats pretty much it). I see no reason he couldn’t regain, at least, some of his form in a weak division with little pressure. Any more than $10 mil and/or a decent prospect and I’d probably pass though.

Too bad AJ was a bust after the Championship season. I still think he has great stuff, but flourishes better with a non pressure team like the Pirates or Royals – He has his ring and he can say he was part of a World Championship club at the very least. Im sure hed do well in Pittsburgh. I am curious about the dreaded mystery team ..the Mets ? Cubs ? Royals ? Just guesswork, maybe it is the Os ?

Jays.. why not.. he enjoyed and did well in Toronto, except those years he was injured. I think Jays can gamble with him.. he was pitching well against Boston and NY. He still can pitch mid to high nineties. Without any additional pressure, he can pitch well and also now he may want to revenge the Yankees …Jays get 10M of AJ’s salary and give Thames to NY. Now, Jays can put Snider in LF so give a final chance to succeed as a major leaguer.

Yanks are building to the furture their main club is almost set. The Yanks are looking to dump 12 million in contract and get a few prospects in the deal. The Bucs seem to be willing to give them 10 million at this point.

Do you think Josh Beckett’s wife has the same issue(actually I think they just had a new baby this off-season which could cause a moving issue)–maybe the Angels would consider Josh as a suitable starter and would send some prospects east.

She could just turn on a tv like other people if she’s so scared to fly. Just saying. Given the possible career paths of playing for the Angels or the Pirates right now, it seems like a really poor decision given the circumstances.

I have no idea how the logistics played out. I imagine that the team has plenty of limos crossing back and forth across the border to get business sone though. I would assume that they are “old-hat” at figuring it all out by now.

Maybe Burnett likes the idea of seeing his wife and two children more often. Maybe his family wants more than to watch Burnett on the telly.

His kids may not mind flying, but his exceptionally hot wife certainly does. It appears the happiness of his family is more imprtant to him than playing for a top-tier contender like the Angels. Quite frankly, good for him.

i dont really see it as leverage because techincaly the yankees dont really need to get rid of him. he will be a 5th starter, and he prob more then likely wont start in the playoffs as the yankees usually only go with 3 starters come post season time. yeah the salary may hurt, but im sure they would rather keep the salary then trade him and not get anything in return

My guess is the Yankees believe for a $5MM/year savings, he is still a usable arm that they won 97 games with last year. That type of savings doesn’t really get them to expand the price tag for a DH. And without a decent prospect there’s really no incentive.

What makes you think the other teams in the NL Central are that much better than the Pirates? Honestly, the Pirates will start with a better overall team than they had last year. Therefore, I would never rule out a chance for them to contend.

Come on now. Jerome Williams? Garret Richards? AJ is still a KO pitcher and has almost a 8 K/9inn ratio during his time in NY. We know he has not pitched great, but things get blown out of control in NY. He can still go out there and give you 6 innings. Hes not going to shut people out every time, but he can still keep teams in games.

He showed real signs of improvement down the stretch last year, starting with the crucial rubber-game of the September-1st series in Boston, and the Yanks can pretty-well count on an injury taking out at least one of their starters. If I were Cash, and the deal wasn’t exactly what I wanted, I’d save Burnett and see what’s happening at the trade deadline.

One shoulder tight or forearm injury away from getting nothing back and having his $16.5 mil, 24.75 counting luxury tax, staying on the books. He’s been healthy as a Yankee, but he does have arm problems in his history. And 35 year old SP in the post steroid era….

lets take the psychology discussion elsewhere, and i am just saying a surprise trade to the Angels, and suddenly forcing her to fly may not be the best idea for now. They should deal with it at a more appropriate time. He had the right to block the trade, he didn’t do it cause he hates the Angels, but out of concern for family

The Buccos should have went for bigger signings and locked up a legitimate clean up hitter so they could “take over” the division. It seems like no one wants to sign for them. Therefore, they might have to go the route of trades.

Beltran is starting to decline, there’s no doubt of that. You also failed to mention all the other players the Brewers lost. Yes, they may be returning some good pitching, but you also need good offense to win. I honestly think the Reds will have the best team. Having said all of that, I really do think the Pirates could make it interesting.